Why can a large age difference be a problem?

[stevnim 0]

I'm not sure this belongs in this Discussion; please feel free to move it to the correct one.

 

I'm a US citizen and petitioning for my 31-years younger Ugandan fiance thru the K-1 process. We met online in 2019 and have met for a couple weeks in Dubai and also a couple weeks in Uganda with her family. We are curious why age difference sometimes causes a denial for a visa.

[Boiler 45,318]

Probably not. They tend to look for culturally unusual situations.

[Crazy Cat 41,610]

Age difference, in itself, is not a reason for a denial.  It can be a contributing factor to the totality of the circumstances surrounding a case.  Consulate Officers look at a number of factors such as relationship evidence, cultural norms, etc.  Just my observations and opinion.

Edited July 31, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[carmel34 3,611]

21 minutes ago, stevnim said:

We are curious why age difference sometimes causes a denial for a visa.

Age difference alone will not be a reason for denial.  Each situation is different and unique, and officers are supposed to use their best judgment and apply immigration laws and field manuals fairly, without discrimination.  I have seen cases here on VJ, both K-1 and CR-1, where a big age gap could have been one of many factors that led to a denial (you can search for "age gap" here on VJ to read some of those posts and experiences), but in those situations, there were other issues/problems such as very little time spent together in person, very fast timelines for engagement or marriage, recent divorce, previous relationship with the beneficiary prior to divorce, high-fraud country for the beneficiary, fraudulent documents, misrepresentation on past visa applications, cultural differences, etc.  Age gaps can cause some officers to look closer at a file, especially if there are other complicating factors, but in the end, if you meet all the requirements and file a solid application with lots of supporting documentation, you have as much chance for approval as anybody.  Good luck!

Edited July 31, 2023 by carmel34

[Mike E 11,739]

41 minutes ago, stevnim said:

I'm a US citizen and petitioning for my 31-years younger Ugandan fiance thru the K-1 process.
[…]

 We are curious why age difference sometimes causes a denial for a visa.

Gender matters.

 

IMO from posts on visa journey, all other things being equal, a female U.S. citizen petitioner who is 31 years older than a male beneficiary, from a non OECD country is more likely to have difficultly than a male U.S. citizen petitioner who is 31 years older than a female beneficiary, from a non OECD country.

 

[JeanneAdil 6,414]

3 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Gender matters.

 

IMO from posts on visa journey, all other things being equal, a female U.S. citizen petitioner who is 31 years older than a male beneficiary, from a non OECD country is more likely to have difficultly than a male U.S. citizen petitioner who is 31 years older than a female beneficiary, from a non OECD country.

 

My thoughts

also CO  will look at how many divorces there are

religious differences 

but income and quality time together are the important issues

(in our Morocco experience,  it isn't normal for a man to marry a widow-like me /there are a lot of widows in Moroc  that stay unmarried)

[TexasRafael 128]

I have a 40 year difference with my spouse and my K 1 visa was approved without issue.  We made sure all our paper work was correct and I am sure the fact that I visited 8 times for a total of over 150 days helped to show our relationship is real.  I have heard that age difference is always a concern but I honestly believe that if you are in love it will not be an issue.  Certainly different Embassies may deal with that differently, so I can only speak for our experience and the US Embassy in Indonesia. 

[Pinkrlion 2,709]

It is only an issue when the woman - USC is older. 
 

I have seen men-USC in their 60’s and petitioning for 18 yo spouse with no issues. 

[TBoneTX 45,031]

In Latin American countries, the man can easily be 15 to 20 years older; presuming that nothing else is amiss, it won't raise an eyebrow.

 

In some cultures -- from what I see here, Middle Eastern and African -- cultural "red flags" include a young male beneficiary seeking to marry an older female U.S. petitioner who may not be able to give him children.  That tends to raise questions in the minds of consular officers.

 

*** Thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion. ***

[AfroKing 48]

My short answer is NO, age difference will not be a problem. The consulate do not decide on cases based on assumptions but rather, on facts tabled before them in documents and evaluating the totality of the case's circumstances. Will noticeable age difference make them shine the light on your case? Yes or maybe, but they have to look at other factors. All you need make sure is that you have good physical time together.

 

On as a side note, i see lots of folks here throw around *cultural norms* in cases related to Africa when it comes to age difference. It is important for people to understand that what is perceived as cultural norms are mostly old practices that deprived people of their fundamental human rights. The consulates are well grounded in this and they see a rising numbers in people now acting on their own, so age difference is not a cultural thing,at least, not anymore, its just an assumption.  No one should be deprived of love just because of the year their spouse was born and NO, not having a child is not a big deal in Africa...Lots of people are starting not to have one here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 31, 2023 by AfroKing
typo error

[Boiler 45,318]

Now my main knowledge about Uganda goes back to Idi Amin, but I have my doubts there are many instances of men marrying ladies 30 years older than them.

[Kristie76 3]

I am the petitioner for my spouse (previously K1 Fiance). I am 16 years older, a female, I have been married a couple times before AND previously sponsored one of my ex husbands. He was approved with no issues in Nairobi. The job of the officer is to determine if the relationship is real. Age isn't a reason to deny. 

[Oko Vicki 55]

My wife is 37 years older than me. She’d previously been married twice, I was married once previously. Not once was age difference mentioned in either of my K1 or CR1 interviews. This is just for whatever it is worth. 
All you gotta do is prove that your relationship is genuine. 

[Oko Vicki 55]

22 hours ago, Oko Vicki said:

My wife is 37 years older than me. She’d previously been married twice, I was married once previously. Not once was age difference mentioned in either of my K1 or CR1 interviews. This is just for whatever it is worth. 
All you gotta do is prove that your relationship is genuine. 

Suggestion: The USC should visit around interview period, stay at the hotel and give your husband your passport to take to the interview. 
IO: how many times has your wife visited you? 
Answer: twice (or whatever amount of times). In fact, she is here right now at the hotel waiting patiently. Here is her passport. 
 

Then pay attention to IO’s reaction 🫢

[PhatCat 17]

As I have posted the details here recently I will just summarize that my Colombian same-sex fiance and I have a 45 year difference and were approved without any questions as to age. The approved I129F sent from the embassy had been notated in red pen "2nd approved I12fF" and "45 years apart", so they did take note.

 

As my lawyer explained, neither is reason for denial but they will look at the application closely, mostly to protect the US citizen.  Since we knew this was likely to warrant a closer review, we front loaded the I129F with evidence of having known each other for 6 years and had met 4 times in the months prior to the I129F submission.

 

I was permitted to accompany him to the interview window and the officer did ask if I was the fiance. I agree with the previous poster that my presence helped confirm that we had a serious relationship.